Colostrum is crucial for survival of new born suckler calves

AIM to give your new born suckler calf a good start in life and win the battle for survival by ensuring that the calf suckles and receives adequate colostrum in the first six hours of life.

Fresh colostrum is a rich source of heat, energy, protein and antibodies.

Without adequate colostrum, the new born calf is more vulnerable to infection, is more likely to develop disease and die in the pre and post-weaning periods. The first feed of colostrum is the most important feed of the calf ’s lifetime so it is critical that every new-born calf gets an adequate amount.

The recommendation for new born calves is that they receive 3 litres of colostrum within the first hour after birth and a further 3 litres within 6 hours. If calf is unable to suckle, or is too weak or traumatised after a difficult calving to suckle on its own, it should be fed colostrum by means of a bucket with a teat or with a stomach tube. An on-going study by Teagasc on suckler farms has shown that 21 per cent of young suckler calves have low levels of antibodies in their bloodstream, indicating that they did not receive enough colostrum at birth.

Calves have no immunity against disease at birth. They rely for protection on the antibodies of the cow, delivered via the colostrum until they are old enough to produce their own antibodies.

Antibodies in colostrum are large proteins that can only enter the blood from the intestine of the calf in the first 6 hours after the calf is born. This ability to absorb antibodies decreases by 50% after 6 hours of life and is gone by 24 hours.

Therefore the early feeding of an adequate amount of good quality colostrum is the first and most vital disease protection measure in the calf ’s life.

Furthermore, vaccination against calf scours can only be effective via passive immunity if the calf consumes sufficient levels of colostrum soon after calving.

The quality of colostrum varies from cow to cow. Cows in better condition produce better quality colostrum. Antibody levels are lower in heifers than in mature cows. The maximum level and potency of antibodies occurs after the 4th or 5th calving. Mastitis will lower colostrum quality and poor nutrition pre-calving will reduce colostrum quality and quantity

It is a good idea to have a supply of frozen colostrum on hand at the start of calving for emergencies. Milk some from early calving cows (avoid first calvers) or get some from a neighbouring dairy farmer. Store this in a deep freeze in 2l plastic milk containers It can be stored down to -25 degrees Celsius for up to a year without changing its quality. Frozen colostrum can be thawed safely by placing in a basin of warm water. Avoid thawing using very hot water or a microwave as this may damage immunoglobins in the colostrum.